HomeTown

The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) and Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) hosted a webinar with guest speaker Bishop Michael Hunn of the Diocese of the Rio Grande to discuss border ministry and advocacy. We covered the latest policy changes related to the border and heard a first hand account from Bishop Hunn about how The Episcopal Church is responding to humanitarian needs. We also offered time for dialogue and questions, in addition to offering ways to get involved.

Allison and Kendall recently had the opportunity to join the Diocese of West Texas for their Walk in Love Border Tour. The “Walk in Love” border tour highlighted some of the Episcopal ministries and humanitarian efforts in south-central Texas. The May 15-17 tour of Texas began in San Antonio and made stops along the U.S.-Mexico border in Roma, McAllen and Brownsville. The 'Walk in Love' episode features an interview with two of the participants on the tour who also work at The Episcopal Church - Lacy Broemel, Refugee and Immigration Policy Advisor in The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and Jenny Grant, Officer for Global Relations and Networking in The Episcopal Church Office of Global Partnerships. Do you have a question about how to be most helpful in serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers?Are you interested in sharing your work or your congregation's work? Are you eager to make connections with other people who are doing the same kind of work and learn from one another? Join Partners in Welcome, a free online community that offers a chance for engaging conversation, connection with people all over the country who care about these issues, and a wealth of resources and learning opportunities. We have so much to gain from sharing information and experiences with one another. Sign up today! www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/partne…elcome Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we are @emmrefugees. Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com/

Season Two, Episode Six of Hometown features interviews from Refugee Council USA Advocacy Days on the Hill in Washington, DC. Allison and Kendall are joined by more than 250 other advocates - former refugees, members of the community who believe in and support the resettlement program - speaking to our members of Congress. This episode brings their voices and stories to you - why they believe in advocacy for refugees, and advice and encouragement to inspire you to engage in advocacy, too. Do you have a question about how to be most helpful in serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers? Are you interested in sharing your work or your congregation's work? Are you eager to make connections with other people who are doing the same kind of work and learn from one another? Join Partners in Welcome, a free online community that offers a chance for engaging conversation, connection with people all over the country who care about these issues, and a wealth of resources and learning opportunities. We have so much to gain from sharing information and experiences with one another. Sign up today! www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/partnersinwelcome Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees. Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at https://abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com/ Until next time, peace be with you and all those you consider home.

Season 2, Episode 5 features an interview with Bethany Showalter, the Special Programs Manager with the CWS Immigration and Refugee Program. She has worked in refugee resettlement in CWS affiliate offices for the past ten years. In her current role, she helps coordinate efforts with a group of humanitarian shelters along the southwest border to support asylum seekers as they travel to destination cities, which includes managing a free and confidential resource hotline for asylum seekers. CWS press release about the asylum-seeker hotline: https://cwsglobal.org/cws-launches-call-center-to-connect-asylum-seekers-released-from-detention-with-resources-in-local-communities/ Asylum Hotline email: resourcecenter@cwsglobal.org Do you have a question about how to be most helpful in serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers?Are you interested in sharing your work or your congregation's work? Are you eager to make connections with other people who are doing the same kind of work and learn from one another? Join Partners in Welcome, a free online community that offers a chance for engaging conversation, connection with people all over the country who care about these issues, and a wealth of resources and learning opportunities. We have so much to gain from sharing information and experiences with one another. Sign up at www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/partnersinwelcome Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @EMMRefugees. Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at https://abrahammwinda.bandcamp.com/

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and welcome ministry of the Episcopal Church. This episode's interview features The Rt. Rev’d David C Rice, diocesan bishop, and Tom Hampson, both from the Diocese of San Joaquin. Bishop David was formerly the Diocesan Bishop in the Diocese of Waiapu in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Polynesia. Prior to David’s consecration as the fifteenth Bishop of Waiapu, he was Dean of the Cathedral of St. Paul’s in the Diocese of Dunedin in New Zealand. And before David’s deanship, he was Vicar of Mt. Herbert Parish on Banks Peninsula in the Diocese of Christchurch also in NZ. David became an Anglican Priest in 1997, prior to that he was a United Methodist Minister.David has been involved in the ministry with young people for many years. He was the Youth Liaison Bishop representing the House of Bishops in the “youth scene” in the three tikanga (cultures) church in New Zealand. Equally, David is a strong “ecumenist” and has a history of exploring ways in which the church can be far more collaborative and collegial across denominations and faiths. David also has a heart for social justice ministry and continues to seek ways in which the church can join with all of God’s People wherever they are. Tom Hampson is co-chair of the Immigration Task Force for the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He's also a Candidate to the Diaconate and will complete his studies at the School for Deacons at Church Divinity School of the Pacific next month. Presently retired, Tom worked for Church World Service for 31 years in the areas of constituent education, marketing and fundraising. Learn more about the Pilgrimage of Hope and how you can get involved at www.thepilgrimageofhope.org. Follow along on twitter and instagram @SJRAISE. We invite you to join us for an event hosted by both The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries called Love God, Love Neighbor: Advocacy in Action. This two day gathering June 27 and 28 in Washington DC will provide both messaging and advocacy training, as well as a full day on the Hill advocating on behalf of refugees and the refugee resettlement program. Learn more at episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln Have a question about how to be most helpful in serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers? Interested in sharing your work or your congregation's work? Eager to make connections with other people who are doing the same kind of work and learn from one another? Join Partners in Welcome, a free online community that offers a chance for engaging conversation, connection with people all over the country who care about these issues, and a wealth of resources and learning opportunities. We have so much to gain from sharing information and experiences with one another. Sign up today! www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/partnersinwelcome Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees. Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com.

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and welcome ministry of the Episcopal Church. Reflection author and Interview Guest: This week’s reflection author and interview guest is Drocella Mugorewera, Executive Director of Bridge Refugee Services, the only refugee resettlement agency in East Tennessee since 1982. Mugorewera came to the United States in 2009 as a refugee herself and was resettled by Bridge Refugee Services, an affiliate partner of Episcopal Migration Ministries. Drocella is passionate about dignity for all and socio-economic and environmental justice. She believes that with proper management of all the abundant natural resources and being open to new ideas, we can minimize the homelessness in America. Drocella previously served as a Parliamentarian and Secretary of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water, and Mines in the Government of Rwanda. Drocella is a Board member of Tennessee Valley Homeless Coalition and the Refugee Congress, the only national advocacy organization led by refugees and for refugees. A graduate of the 2017 class at the Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness -Haslam College of Business, she has been recognized by the Knoxville Mercury as one of 10 women making a difference in Knoxville TN. She completed 2018 Leadership Knoxville class. She currently serves on the Connect Knox Steering Committee. Mugorewera is also an active member of the Knoxville Association of Women Executives (KAWE). Mugorewera was honored as one of the 34th Annual YWCA Tribute to Women finalists. In November 2018, Mugorewera received the Champions for Change award from Church World Service. Drocella is one the 2019 Peacemaker award recipients from the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance. Drocella speaks five languages including English, French, Russian, Kinyarwanda and Kirundi. Drocella likes reading, traveling and visit places, networking and empowering/helping people. We invite you to join us for an event hosted by both The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries called Love God, Love Neighbor: Advocacy in Action. This two day gathering June 27 and 28 in Washington DC will provide both messaging and advocacy training, as well as a full day on the Hill advocating on behalf of refugees and the refugee resettlement program. Learn more at episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln Have a question about how to be most helpful in serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers? Interested in sharing your work or your congregation's work? Eager to make connections with other people who are doing the same kind of work and learn from one another? Join Partners in Welcome, a free online community that offers a chance for engaging conversation, connection with people all over the country who care about these issues, and a wealth of resources and learning opportunities. We have so much to gain from sharing information and experiences with one another. Sign up today! www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/partnersinwelcome Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees

Our guests on this episode: Wendy Chan and Vanda Berninger, cochairs for the One Journey Festival in Washington, DC. The mission of the One Journey Festival is to amplify refugee voices and enhance public awareness of refugee talents and contributions. They strive to build enduring allies for refugees and use cultural and technological tools to facilitate human connections between refugees and their host communities. Our guest Vanda, who was born in Croatia, immigrated to Germany in 1991 during the civil war in former Yugoslavia. In Germany, Vanda served as the spokesperson for immigrant and refugee policy for a major German political party in Frankfurt/Main and worked for various development agencies and NGO’s. Currently, Vanda leads strategic partnership efforts for One Journey to influence public perception of refugees in positive/celebratory ways and identify innovative partnership to address humanitarian crises. Wendy Chan, is the co-founder of NOVA Friends of Refugees, a grassroots coalition dedicated to welcoming refugees. Wendy immigrated to the US from China at age 12. Her humble, blue-collar immigrant background helped her appreciate the courage and tenacity of refugees and see the talents they could bring to America. Wendy leads the nearly 1,000 member interfaith coalition, born out of St. George’s Episcopal Church of Arlington’s Refugee Ministry, in helping refugees through advocacy, social services, and community engagement. She is also a Senior Manager at Accenture and a parishioner at St. George Episcopal Church. She has an MBA from Wharton, UPenn and an MA from SAIS, Johns Hopkins. She is a recipient of the 2018 Washington Business Journal’s Minority Business Leaders Award. Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we are @emmrefugees. Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music atwww.abrahammwindamusic.com.

In this first episode of Season two of Hometown, we offer a Lenten reflection, give a brief update on the current state of the refugee resettlement program, explore why now is the time for the Partners in Welcome community, what participation in the Partners in Welcome community and online portal offers, and how you can join. Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we are @emmrefugees. Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com.

This is the third in our three-part Walking in Welcome Advent series. The program was released as a webinar in addition to this podcast episode. Webinar Recording: https://vimeo.com/307124206 Stay in Touch and Connect with Partners in Welcome We’d love to stay in touch with you and share details in the lead-up to our Partners in Welcome Web Portal Launch on February 28. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/PartnersInterest Give the Gift of Welcome Welcoming refugees has always been a ministry of the whole Church. We began this work more than 80 years ago, when local parishes collected donations to help refugees fleeing Nazi Europe. We have met great need with great love before. And today, we must do so again. We must come together to stand for refugees. This is our shared ministry. Together, we live into the biblical and holy call from Christ to “welcome the stranger” and “serve the least of these.” With your help, we will continue to welcome refugees to a place of safety and welcome. Stand for welcome. Make your gift today. Give securely online at episcopalmigrationministries.org/give Text ‘EMM’ to 41444 (standard messaging rates may apply) Make your credit or debit card gift over the phone by calling (800) 334-7626 extension 6271, or ask for special gift envelopes to be mailed to you Thank you, in advance, for gifts that do so much. We pray you have a blessed remainder of Advent, and wish you a very Merry Christmas! We look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

This is the second in our three-part Walking in Welcome Advent series. Some resources from the recording below: • Webinar Recording: https://vimeo.com/306804790 Upcoming Webinars Please register for the third webinars in the Walking in Welcome series: •Webinar #3: Partners in Welcome: Join Us On the Way, Dec. 18 at 12 pm Eastern. SIGN UP (register.gotowebinar.com/register/543…519029931523) Give the Gift of Welcome Now more than ever, EMM and our local partners need your support. Welcoming refugees has always been a ministry of the whole Church. We began this work more than 80 years ago, when local parishes collected donations to help refugees fleeing Nazi Europe. We have met great need with great love before. And today, we must do so again. We must come together to stand for refugees. This is our shared ministry. Together, we live into the biblical and holy call from Christ to “welcome the stranger” and “serve the least of these.” With your help, we will continue to welcome refugees to a place of safety and welcome. Stand for welcome. Make your gift today. •Give securely online at episcopalmigrationministries.org/give •Text ‘EMM’ to 41444 (standard messaging rates may apply) •Make your credit or debit card gift over the phone by calling (800) 334-7626 extension 6271, or ask for special gift envelopes to be mailed to you. Thank you, in advance, for gifts that do so much.

This is the first in our three-part Walking in Welcome Advent series. Some resources from the recording below: • Webinar Recording: https://vimeo.com/304853873 • Center for Applied Linguistics’ Cultural Orientation Resource Center (http://www.culturalorientation.net/) Upcoming Webinars Please register for the second and third webinars in the Walking in Welcome series: •Webinar #2: One Community’s Journey to Welcome: The Story of West Virginia Interfaith Refugee Ministry Dec. 13 at 4 pm Eastern. SIGN UP (https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9074700867224010499) •Webinar #3: Partners in Welcome: Join Us On the Way, Dec. 18 at 12 pm Eastern. SIGN UP (https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5432976519029931523) Give the Gift of Welcome Now more than ever, EMM and our local partners need your support. Welcoming refugees has always been a ministry of the whole Church. We began this work more than 80 years ago, when local parishes collected donations to help refugees fleeing Nazi Europe. We have met great need with great love before. And today, we must do so again. We must come together to stand for refugees. This is our shared ministry. Together, we live into the biblical and holy call from Christ to “welcome the stranger” and “serve the least of these.” With your help, we will continue to welcome refugees to a place of safety and welcome. Stand for welcome. Make your gift today. •Give securely online at episcopalmigrationministries.org/give •Text ‘EMM’ to 41444 (standard messaging rates may apply) •Make your credit or debit card gift over the phone by calling (800) 334-7626 extension 6271, or ask for special gift envelopes to be mailed to you. Thank you, in advance, for gifts that do so much.

Today on Hometown, Kendall and Allison speak with colleagues Alan Yarborough, from The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations, and Ashley Coleman, from New American Pathways in Atlanta, about civic engagement, voter registration, and non-partisan efforts to get out the vote. The conversation was recorded the afternoon of Monday, September 17. Later that day, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a historic and record low presidential determination, or refugee admissions number, for 2019 - only 30,000. This is the lowest number ever set, in the history of the US Refugee Admissions program. In the interview, Ashley mentions a resolution that will be put forth by Congressman Hank Johnson. The morning that we’re releasing the podcast, Sept 21, the resolution was introduced. Read it here and ask your Representative to sign on: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/1073/text/ih?overview=closed&format=txt Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Statement about the announcement: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/presiding-bishop-michael-currys-statement-administrations-2019-refugee It is critical that you take action. Let your members of Congress know that this number does not represent your community's heart of welcome. Visit the Episcopal Public Policy Network and send a message to Congress: https://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/app/write-a-letter?3&engagementId=484233 And, as we discuss with Alan and Ashley - get involved! Make sure you're registered to vote, and help others participate in our democracy. Learn about New American Pathways and their voter registration work on their website: www.newamericanpathways.org. Get inspired and involved with voter registration and get out the vote efforts in your community. Take part in the Vote Faithfully campaign - https://cqrcengage.com/episcopal/file/euXNP1gXXKY/VoteFaithfully_Toolkit%202018.pdf Order your own "I'm an Episcopalian and I voted!" stickers by visiting http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org Get involved with us and our guests on social media: EMM: emmrefugees on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter EPPN: theeppn on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter New American Pathways: /NewAmericanPathways on Facebook, @newampaths on Twitter ------------ Our theme song is by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com

Listen to today’s episode – and pray with us. Pray, then act. Visit @theeppn on social media or advocacy.episcopalchurch.org to take action. Repost and share from our social media feeds. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, we are EMMRefugees. Use hashtags #Pray4Refugees and #RefugeesWelcome. episcopalmigrationministries.org/pray4refugees/ episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog/ Prayerfully consider making a gift to ensure that refugees resettled through EMM are given a solid foundation to begin again in safety and hope. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text EMM to 41444. Our theme music is by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com.

Listen to today’s episode – and pray with us. Pray, then act. Visit @theeppn on social media or advocacy.episcopalchurch.org to take action. Repost and share from our social media feeds. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, we are EMMRefugees. Use hashtags #Pray4Refugees and #RefugeesWelcome. episcopalmigrationministries.org/pray4refugees/ episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog/ Prayerfully consider making a gift to ensure that refugees resettled through EMM are given a solid foundation to begin again in safety and hope. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text EMM to 41444. Our theme music is by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com.

Listen to today’s episode – and pray with us. Pray, then act. Visit @theeppn on social media or http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org to take action. Repost and share from our social media feeds. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, we are EMMRefugees. Use hashtags #Pray4Refugees and #RefugeesWelcome. https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/pray4refugees/ https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog/ Prayerfully consider making a gift to ensure that refugees resettled through EMM are given a solid foundation to begin again in safety and hope. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text EMM to 41444. Our theme music is by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com.